Recommendations - October 2008: Southern California Edition

New York, NY

Another whirlwind trip comes to an end, and I have a few West Coast recommendations for you.

• STK - It reminded me why I love steak in the first place.
• Jack FM - When you've got nothing but an open road and a rental car en route to Santa Barbara, Jack FM is good company.
• Sofitel LA - There's a good chance when I first walked into my room I jumped on my bed for a good five minutes.
• Sky Bar at the Mondrian - Somehow I always end up in this place. And at 2am on a Thursday with more than a few gin and tonics in you, it just seems like the right place to be.
• Jinky's Cafe - On my last trip to LA, I forgot to go to Jinky's, a breakfast (anytime) joint in Santa Monica that made some of the best pancakes I've ever had. I decided a trip to Jinky's would be in order this trip, though I had a slight panic attack when I thought there might be a chance Jinky's closed during my absence. (It didn't)
• Apple - Forget the fact that they just rocked out with an excellent update of the MacBook, but they also publicly stated their opposition to Prop 8. A bold statement from a bold company.
• Ogio - They make absolutely bomb-proof bags. (Probably a bad term to use on an airplane)
• Born Standing Up - A random and impulsive purchase at an airport ended up being a great read. If you're a fan of Steve Martin's, I highly recommend picking up a copy.
• 944 Magazine - Photos from the event.
  

Santa Barbara kind of kicks ass. In a subtle but ass-kicking sort of way.

So what, I took a picture of myself on the beach. I needed proof I was actually in L.A.

When you're alone in a city, 2,300 miles from home, these are the type of fun-loving friends to make.

Viva La Vida

Beverly Hills, CA


I spent a good deal of time being angry on Tuesday. Not only did I lose my job, but my former company was purchased, effectively shutting me out of a nice windfall. I was three minutes away from punching a hole through my wall when I received an e-mail indicating that a good friend of mine from childhood was severely ill with leukemia. And suddenly, everything fell into perspective. Here I was, upset about losing money when I still had my health, my family, and my friends.

What's more, I'm currently poolside in Beverly Hills under blue skies. So life isn't really that bad.

In The Shade of Maple Trees

New York, NY

Funny how the world looks so small when you're standing on top of it, yet so large when you're underneath. Sparing gruesome details about my life over the past week, I will say this: I'm going to be alright. Honestly. I believe it and so should you. I'm not good with failing and even worse at retreating. When you get kicked down, it's all too comfortable to fall into despair. It's the easy way out. And I'm fighting. Each time I've been counted out, I've come back better, stronger, and smarter. This time will be no different.

This past weekend was unseasonably warm, which sparked a semi-impromptu trip to Fort Tryon Park. These are some of the pictorial efforts.

Recommendations - October 2008

New York, NY

• Mobile Gallery - Have you checked it out lately?
• Men and Cats - It's a growing fad, especially if the Times says it's so.
  
• Atonement - I shouldn't have liked this movie. But it had a killer war scene, and an excellent narrative. Also, it had Keira Knightly which will get me to at least rent the thing on DVD.
• Motorcycle Diaries - Watch it so you really know who that dude on your T-Shirt is.
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall - I caught this flick (edited) on a cross-country flight a few months ago. Definitely check out the unrated version for the full kielbasa ... if you're into that sort of thing.
  
• YesButNoButYes - Because you should read it everyday.
• Virgin America - There's no better way to fly to San Francisco.
• Kiehl's - I've become a Kiehl's snob. For guys, check out their Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser, their Amino Acid Shampoo, or their Rare-Earth Oatmeal Milk Facial Cleanser.
• Simple Human - Because sometimes you need to spend an entire paycheck on a kick-ass paper towel dispenser.
• Nick Swardson - Because he's funny.
• Little Big Planet - Simple equals excellent.